FOR NINE HUNDRED YEARS THE REMOTE TOWN OF TIMBUKTU HAS BEEN THE MAJOR TRADING TOWN FOR THE NOMADIC CARAVAN MERCHANTS PLYING ANCIENT ROUTES ACROSS THE SAHARA.

NOW, THE OLD TOWN IS TO BECOME A TOURIST RESORT, AND A SERIES OF TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES ARE TO BE REVIVED AS PART OF THE DRIVE TO ATTRACT TOURISTS.

TIMBUKTU, STANDING ON THE EDGE OF THE VAST NIGER RIVER, HAS BEEN KNOWN AS THE 'MEETING POINT OF THE CAMEL AND CANOE' AND 'THE PORT OF THE SAHARA'.

EVEN TODAY IT IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE, AND DURING THE MAIN PERIODS OF TRADING THE POPULATION REACHES MORE THAN 25,000 - MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE NORMAL POPULATION.

IN A CONTINENT WHERE MODERN FORMS OF TRANSPORT HAVE LARGELY SUPERSEDED THE ANCIENT FORMS, THE CAMEL IS STILL THE MAIN CARRIER, AND FROM TIMBUKTU CARAVANS WITH UP TO THREE THOUSAND CAMELS DEPART FOR TINY SETTLEMENTS FAR INTO THE UNFRIENDLY INTERIOR OF THE VAST SAHARA. THE TRIBESMEN TRADE MAINLY IN SALT WHICH THEY RECOVER FROM NATURAL SALT PANS IN THE DESERT.

THE CARAVAN TRAVELLERS SHOWN IN THE FILM ARE PERFORMING ANCIENT DANCES BEFORE THEIR ANNUAL DEPARTURE FROM TIMBUKTU FOR TAOUDENNI, 950 MILES (1,500 K.M.) TO THE NORTH. THEY ARE MEMBERS O THE TAUREG TRIBE.